Clamping device



Sept. 3, 1968 R. GooDMAN 3,399,429

CLAMPING DEVICE Filed July 6, 1967 14 I I Z c F lg. 3 K0 j ,34 \NvENToR 20 ROBERT c-sooDMAN 24 BY Zt/f W TT O NEY 3,399,429 CLAMPING DEVICE Robert Goodman, 5325 Westminster Ave., Philadelphia, Pa. 19131 Filed Iluly 6, 1967, Ser. No. 651,607 6 Claims. (Cl. 24-66) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A clamping device for sheets such as papers, films, charts, and the like, comprising a support member which has 'a gravity-biased roller that yis moved by graVity into a clamping position in an inclined guideway. A slot underlies the roller and is adapted to receive the edge of the sheet which is passed through the slot to a position between the roller and one wall of the guideway where it is clamping he'ld 'by the graVity-biased roller. The support is provided |with 'a wedge-shaped surface that permits it to be mounted either vertically or horizontally while still permitting gravity to operate on the roller. A recess is provided to permit insertion of a finger or the like to push the roller up from its gravitybiased clamping position.

This invention relates to -a clamping device, and it particulanly relates to 'a clamping device for sheets such as papers, charts, films, and the like.

The clamping device of the present invention comprises a support means having a graVity-operated clamping element which permits the simple insertion of the edge of the sheet and ythe 'automatic clamping of this edge.

Although other clamping devices utilizing gravityoperated elements have heretofore been known, they have had Various disadvantages in that they were either und'uly complicated in design or structure, or could not operate effectively, or could not be readi'ly and e'asily uncl'amped from the sheet. Furthermore, such prior devices could only be used in a Vertical position, often requiring the use of special hangers or the like, whereas, in the present invention, the clamping device is adapted to not only be used in a Vertical position, in which it is ad'apted for easy and simple attacbment to any Vertical surface, but is also adapted to be used in a horizontal position on a horizontal surface.

It is, therefore, one object of the present invention to provide a clamping device which 'is simple in construction, easily attached to any surface, Vertical or horizontal, and operative in either of such positions.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a clamping device of the aforesaid type which automatically clamps a sheet inserted therein and which is easily and quickly unclamped when it is so desired.

Other objects and many of the -attendant advantages of this invention will 'be readily appreciated as 'the same 'becomes better understood by reference to the following description when read `in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective View showing a clamping device embodying the present invention, the device being 'attached to a Vertical surface and having a sheet clampingly retained therein.

FIG. 2 is 'a front perspective View, similar to FIG. 1, but showing the clamping device in horizontal position on a lhorizontal surface.

FIG. 3 is an end View of the clamping device.

:Referring now in greater detail to the Various figures of the drawing wherein similar reference characters refer to similar parts, there is shown a clamping device,

States Patent O 3,3%,429 Patented Sept. 3, 1968 ice generally designated 10, comprising a housing that includes a back plate 12 having a wedge-like shape wherein the upper portion is relatively large in width and tapers to a relatively narrow bottom portion.

flntegral with the back plate 12 and extending forwardly from the front surface thereof is a finage 14 having an upper lateral portion and a lower Vertical portion generally parallel with the front surface of the back plate 12 and spaced therefrom by the upper lateral portion. The two portions of the -flange 14 are integra'lly connected by 'a rounded elbow, as clearly shown in the drawings.

Integrally connected to the bottom of the flange 14 is a forwardly extending lateral flange 16. The outer portion of the fiange 16 is integral with a downwardly and rearwardly inclined guide plate 18. The plate 18 is provided with a struck-out detent 20 at each end. These detents act as stops to prevent endwise egress of 'a clamping roller 22 which is movab'ly arranged within a guideway formed by the space 'bounded by the back plate 12, guide plate 18 and flange 16. The lateral space or slot 24 between the back plate 12 and guide plate 18 is of less width than the diameter of the roller 22 and, therefore, prevents egress of the roller 22 through the slot 24 in a Vertical direction.

As can best be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the guide plate 18 is provided with a recess 26 in the central portion thereof. This recess 26 permits insertion of a finger or other object to push-up the roller 22 and release a sheet 28 clamped thereby.

Although any attaching means may be used, the

v clamping device 10 disclosed herein is attachable to a Vertical or horizontal surface, such as indicated at 30 in FIG. 1 and 32 in FIG. 2, by means of an adhesive hacking 34.

The operation of the present invention is clearly apparen't from the `drawings. When the clamping device is attached to a Vertical surface, as in FIG. 1, the roller 22 is biased by gravity into a clamping position between the back plate 12 and the guide plate 18. lIn this position, it -is merely necessary to insert the upper edge of the sheet 28 between the roller 22 and the back plate 12 and the roller immediately 'acts to clamp it in place. In order to release the clamping grip, a finger or other object is inserted in the recess 26 and a slight upward push on the roller is sufficient to release its clamping grip. 'It should be noted that the use of an elongated roller, such as roller 22, provides an appreciable linear extent of gripping surface, which, nevertheless, can be released by a mere finger-tip push.

Sometimes it is desirable to clamp a paper on a desk or table to keep it in a fixed position or to keep it from blowing away. This is accomplished, as shown in FIG. 2, by the present invention. The wedge-shaped back plate 12 provides sufficient Vertical inclination to permit the clamping roller 22 to be biased by gravity into clamping position. This also permits the clamping device to be set near the edge of a desk, table, shelf, or the like, and to clamp the edge of a sheet in a horizontal position while the main portion of the sheet hangs down in a Vertical position. The wedge-shaped or inclined back plate is, therefore, an important aspect of the present invention.

The clamping device, embodying the present invention, may be constructed of sheet metal, plastic, Wood, or any other desirable and feasible material.

Obviously, many modifications of the present invention are possible in the light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

The invention claimed is:

1. A clamping device comprising a housing, there being o 3 a gudeway in said housing, said guideway being defined by at least one inclined wall and being closed at one end and open at the opposite end, a cla-mping roller movable within said guideway from said closed to said open end, said open end being defined by a slot having a width that is smaller than the diameter of said roller, and means to retain said roller from endwise movement within said guideway, said housing having an inclined support wall which tapers in thickness towards said open end and is so constructed and arranged as to permit mounting of said housing on either a Vertical or horizontal support surface while subjecting said roller to the force of gravity.

2. The clamping device of claim 1 wherein one wall of said guideway is provided with a recess giving lateral access to said roller.

3. The clamping device of claim 1 wherein said housing comprises a back plate having a -forwardly extending flange, said flange being integral with a rearwardly and downwardly inclined guide plate, said guide plate being spaced at its bottom from said back plate by said slot and the space between said guide plate and back plate forming said guideway.

4. The clamping device of claim 1 wherein said housing comprises a back plate having a forwardly extending flange, said flange being integral with a rearwardly and downwardly inclined guide plate, said guide plate being spaced at its bottom from said back plate by said slot, the space between said guide plate and back plate forming said guideway, and there being a recess on the free edge of said guide plate giving lateral access to said roller.

5. The clarnping device of claim 1 wherein said housing comprises a back plate having a forwardly extending flange, said flange being integral with a rearwardly and downwardly inclined guide plate, said guide plate being spaced at its bottom from said back plate by said slot,

the space between said guide plate and back plate forming said guideway, and said back plate having an inner and outer surface, said inner surface forming one wall of said guideway and said outer surface being upwardly and outwardly inclined relative to said inner surface.

6. The clamping device of claim 1 wherein said housing comprises a back plate having a forwardly extending flange, said flange 'being integral with a rearwardly and downwardly inclined guide plate, said guide plate being spaced at its bottom from said back plate by said slot, the space between said guide plate and back plate forming said guideway, said guide plate having a recess on the free edge thereof to give lateral access to said roller, and said back plate having an inner and outer surface, said inner surface forrning one wall of said guideway and said outer surface being upwardly and outwardly inclined relative to said inner surface, said cla'mping device having means for limiting movement of said roller so that the device can be mounted on a Vertical or a horizontal support surface for gravity operation of the roller.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 446,486 2/ 1891 Benthuysen 24- 244 l,417,009 5/1922 Woodward 223-91 3,168,954 2/ 1965 Von Herrmann 211- 3,309,052 3/1967 Borisof.

FOREIGN PATENTS 648,732 8/ 1928 France.

842,634 6/ 1952 Germany.

316,338 4/1934 Italy.

DONALD A. GRIFFIN, Primary Examiner. 

